Fire-escape.



T. MUELLER.

FIRE. ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.30| I914- I Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I Attprneys 1 MUELLER m5 s ma APPLICATION FILED APR. 30 |9K-L Emma. Apr. 25,1918

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Attorneys THOR MOEJLLER, F BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA.

FIREESCAPE.

. Application filed April 30, 1914.

allied contingencies to conduct theoccupant to safety.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an apparatus which is installed upon the exterior of a building and includes horizontal and vertical tracks, the horizontal track extending above the windows andupon which track travels a suitable car to carry passengers from the various windows to a place of safety, a

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of constructionhereinafter de scribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part thereof, the preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated, in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a building equipped with my improved fire escape. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal view in section of the car. Fig. 3 is an enlarged. detail view showing the electric motor and the various parts adjacent thereto by means of which the Various movements are imparted to the car or cage. Fig. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of one of the turntables or twisters by means of which the car passes from 1 vertical to a horizontal track, or vice versa. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the track and the car truck, illustrating the operating or driving mechanism. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the track. Fig. 7 is a parallel View of one of the car brake actuating mechanisms. Fig. 8 is a detail view in perspective of the engaging member of the brake actuating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference numerals designate analogous parts throughout the several views, 9 repre- Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 835,512.

sents the wall of a building and which is provided with the usual windows 10, ar-

lPatented Apr. 25., 11916..

ranged in horizontal rows A, B and C, ac

cording to floors.

An upright track 11 is provided in one corner of the building and extends above the highest window and is provided with a 1 number of turntables 12 therein which com municate with the horizontally extending tracks 13, the latter being positioned a slight distance above the windows of each floor, so that the car 85 may travel up along the vertical track 11 and across on the horizontal tracks 13 to thus reach each and every window in the building. A second vertical track 14 may be provided at the opposite corner of the wall of the building when taken with respect to the vertical track 11, especially in those cases where the building is of considerable width, or the said vertical track 14: may be dispensed with and the track extend around the corner of the build in; and along the adjacent side. However, such changes in the location and extent of the vertical and horizontal tracks are within the scope of the present invention and will depend largely upon the contour of the building and the accessibility of the window from the interior. The track as more clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and. 6, includes the spaced rack bars 15 upon both the front and rear sides of which are secured the outstanding guide plates 16 which prevent the gears 19, 20, 21 and 22 which mesh with the rack bars from moving transversely of the track and also provides an engageable surface with which the brakes, later to beset forth, frictionally contact. The rear guide plates extend toward the center of the track but terminate short thereof so as to define the slot 17, through which suitable electrical connection with av current carrying rail (not shown), is effected frolm which the car derives its energy.

The car includes a truck 18 to which are rotatably supported the gears 19, 20, 21 and 22, all of which gears mesh with the racks 15 of the rail while the forwardly and rearwardly disposed gears mesh one with the other, as 19 with 20, and 21 with 22. The shaft 23 which carries the gear 21 and the shaft 241-. which carries the gear extend above the truckld and are provided with the gears 25 secured thereto and which gears in turn mesh with a centrally disposed gear 26 from which they derive their power. The

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gear 26 is rotatably carried by the hub 27 as illustrated in Fig. 3. and is driven by the electric motor 28 which has the gear 29 secured thereto and meshing with the gear 26 of the hub. The shaft 31. within the hub 27 is hollow so as to accommodate .the cable which cable communicates with an electric plow, not shown, which makes suitable connection with the current carrying rail before mentioned but not shown. The cable 32 extends through the hub *7 and supplies electricity to the llln'ttii. comroller 33 which is in convenientreach of the operator when situated upon the platform 34 especially provided for his use. The lulb 27 projects through the wall 3t of the car and effects a rotating connection therewith so that the car will always be maintained in an upright position regardless of the position of the truck and by which means the rar is suspended from and supportedby the said truck.

lllhe body 35 of the car is preferably tormcd of a frame of light steel tubing 36 to which is secured a wire mesh 37. there being two layers of the latter, between which is disposed a fireproof material as such as asbestos-or allied substance. the door 39 opens outward, being hinged as at 40 to the lower portion of the car ll0 and provides a suitable bridge across which the passengers may walk to enter the -ar from the various windows 10. The door 39 is provided with the collapsible railing 35) for the sate entrance of passengers to the car. The car also provided with an outlet door 41 so that of the vertical track 11, at which point the track will extend adjacent theground, the passengers may pass directly from the door 41 onto the ground. after which the car may return for other passengers. it suitable platform ill is provided for the. motorman or operator which is rendered accessible by a ladder 4;. Positioned above the platform 34 are the windows 41-; which are also of some tire-proof and transparent or semi-trans parent material such as mica and through which the operator may take such observation as necessary for the proper control of the air. The windows are alSo movable so that access may be had to the switches which control the various 'tnrn tables, as will hereinattcr be set forth at more length. Suitable brakes are provided and are rigidly secured quickly brought to a standstill at any position and securely locked in such position.

secured to the car truck and extending below the outermost plate 16 of the rail. Suitable shoulders 47 are provided contacting with the inner edges of the plates 16 and extend ing a short distance thereover, thus preventing the truck from rotating with respect to when the car reaches the lowermost portion to the car truck so that the. car may be \Vith this in view the brakes have been de-. signed and include an upper plate H rigidly the rail. Each truck is provided with a brake at its top and bottom extremity and inasmuch as the said brakes are precisely similar in construction, a detailed (lescription of only one will be rendered.

A second plate it secured to the truck is and the plates H and 46 are provided with the enlarged ends 48 which act as brake shoes and contact with the outer surface of the inner plate and the inner surface of the outer plate. In order to operate the shoes is to release the rail plates. a member 49 is provided and the member -l is normally held with the brake shoes engaging the rail plates by the coiled spring 50, such structure providing that the brakes will be normally set holding the car rigid against movement in either direction. The member l9 which is slidably mounted and guided in its sliding movement by the said plates ll and 46 is provided with the terminal hookshaped end 1 projecting to engage or be engaged by the brake gripping member 32 as illustrated in perspective in Fig. 8.

in order that the brakes may be operated from the interior of the car and furthermore to allow for the relative rotation of the truck and car. the brake actuating mechanism disclosed in Fig. T is providcih including a rack bar 53 from which projects the standard 54. the latter pivotally mounting a suitable bra kc lever 35. hand engaging release so is mounted upon the handle 55 and engages one oi the notches ot the rack bar 53. thus locking the brak applying lever 55 securely in a given position. The brake applying and engaging member 3'2 is slidably mounted upon the rack bar .333 and is connected to the lever 55 through the intervention oi the link 56.

l rom the foregoing it will be apparent that the brake applying member 5; with its terminal hooked end 57 is adapted to engage the hooked portion 51 of the wedge member 49 and forcibly retract the same. thus allowing the shoes 4h ot' the brake plate to move out of contact with the rail side plates and allowing the car and truck to move with relation to the rail. Also the truck may be rotated with respect to the car. it being noted that when such relative rotation takes place. the wedge member it) 'will rotateout of contact with the brake gripping member 52, thus provided for the immediate application of the brake and preventing the movement of the truck with relation to the'rail. This is of particular importance,during the time the car is negotiating one of the turntables 12. as'should the operator fail'to apply the brake. by releasing the brake actiiat ing lever 55 upon entering one of the turntables. the immediate application of the brake will take place upon the rotation of the turntable, and the. same will release the member at) from the brake gripping ineni her 52. The brakes may be released from the track while the car is upon one of the ve ical or horizontal tracks, four of the i means as illustrated in Fig. i e; provided as will be apparent by a reference to Fig. 2.

the turntables 12 are provided with the on the other hand, the car approaches one that the vertical of the turntables from it may be brought into proper position with respect thereto by the switch 62. In this connection it is to be noted that suitable weights I63 are provided, by means of which the turntables will be normally held in position with the track extending vertical so track will be continuous, thus enabling the car to travel freely up and down the vertical track without requiring a stop at each turntable in order to successiully pass therethrough. It is to be noted in this connection that the turn tables are provided with the central openings 63 so that when the car is upon the turn tables it may run beyond the center thereof and thus aid in rotating the turn tables. The enlarged openings G3 prevents the plow (not shown} from interfering with the rotation of ",hetnrn tables and further pro vides that it will remain in contact with the current carrying rail (not shown) during the rotation of the tables.

o ihough the transportant apparatus has been described and disclosed. as being used 1 in the horizontal track,

i: a ciated it may he used in tions,

is to be noted that the track may be provideo with only one rack should it be so desired in which case the gears. 19 and 22 will be replaced by suitable rollers.

other connec- 'luch changes, however, can be made readily within the scope of the invention, as will be readily appreciated.

Having thus described what I claim is 1. A tire escape comprising vertical and horizontal tracks, turntables at the inter- -ti4 is oi? said tracks, means for normally ina' hing: said turntables in such position as to prose re the continuity of the vertical tracks, a car with means engaging said track for the moving ofsaid car relative my invention,

new escape, comprising vertical and horizontal tracks, turntables at the interescape, it will be readily apple sections of said tracks, means for normally maintaining said turntables in such position as to preserve the continuity of the vertical tracks, a car with means engaging said tracks for moving the said car relative thereto, and brakes carried by said car adapted to engage said tracks to lock the car thereto.

3. In a fire escape, the combination of a vertical track, horizontal tracks communicating therewith, turntables arranged at the intersections of said vertical and horizontal tracks, a car adapted to travel along said tracks, and means for rotating said turntables, and means controlling said turntable rotating means pperable from the interior of said car when positioned within said turntable and upon the horizontal track ad acent thereto.

eating therewith, turntables arranged at the intersections of said vertical and horizontal tracks, a car adapted to travel along said tracks, means for rotating said turntables, means for controlling said turntable rotating means operable from the interior of said car when positioned within said turntable and upon the horizontal track adjacent thereto, and means for normally holding said turntables in position to preserve the continuity of the vertical track.

5. A fire escape for buildings comprising a vertical track extending upone wall of the building, a plurality oi" horizontal tracks exteudingabovethe windows and intersecting the said vertical track, switching means at the intersections of the vertical and horizontal tracks, a car engaging said tracks suspended therefrom and supported thereby, saidcar adapted to move in Front of said windows to receive passengers therefrom, and means carried by said car for bridging the space between the car floor and the window sills.

6. A fire escape for buildings, comprising a vertical track extending up one wall of the building, a plurality of horizontal tracks extending above the windows and intersecting the said vertical track, switching means at the intersections of the vertical and horizontal. tracks, a car engaging said tracks suspended therefrom and supported thereby, said car adapted to move in front of said windows to receive passengers there from, means carried by said our for bridging the space between the car floor and the window sills, and means carried by the car for power operating the'same.

7. A car for a fire escape comprising a skeleton frame, superimposed. layers of wire extending therearound and a layer of fireproof material interposed therebctween, fireproof windows in the said car, means carried by the car for bridging the space between said car and the window of a building, and a second door provided in said car for the exit of passengers therefrom.

S. A car for fire escape apparatus comprising a body, a truck rotatably carried thereby, means carried by said body adapted to rotatc'the supporting wheels of said truck, means carried by said truck preventing the-relative rotation of the truck and a car track.

9. A car dapted to move along vertical and horizontal single track railways, comprising a body, a car truck rotatably secured thereto, means carried by the truck preventing the relative rotation of the said truck and the car body, power means carried by the car body adapted to forcibly rotate the wheels of said car truck.

10. A car adapted to move along vertical and horizontal single track railways, comprising a body, a ca r truck rotatably secured thereto, means carried by the truck preventing the relative rotation of the said truck and the car body, power means carried by the car body adapted to forcibly rotate the wheels of said car truck, and a brake carried by said truck engaging the track, adapted to frictionally lock the car thereto.

11. A car adapted to move along vertical and horizontal single track railways, comprising a body, a car truck rotatably secured thereto,means carried by the truck preventing the relative rotation of the said truck and the car body, power means carried by the car body adapted to forcibly rotate the wheels of said car truck, and a brake adapted to normally frictionallyengage said track to hold the ca against relative movement with respect thereto.

12. A truck for single track vertical and horizontal railways comprising a plate, two pairs of gears carried thereby, the gears of each pair in' mesh, a follower gear carried by one gear of each pair, and a driving gear carried by said plate, meshing with the said follower gear for the forced rotation thereof and the forced rotation of all gears of each pair.

13. A car truck for single track horizontal and vertical railways, with the track including oppositely disposedrack bars, of a plate, two pairs of gears rotatably carried by said plate in mesh with the rack bars, and with the gears of each pair in mesh, and means for driving one gear of each pair of meshing gears.

ll. A car truck for single track horizontal and vertical railways, with the track including oppositely disposed rack bars, of a plate, two pairs of gears rotatably carried by said plate in mesh with the rack bars, with the gears of each pair in mesh, means for driving one gear of each pair of meshing gears, and a brake carried by said truck engaging the rail and holding the truck *in alinement therewith.

15. The combination of a rail for single track horizontal and vertical railways, comprising two oppositely spaced rack bars, overhanging side plates secured to the front and rear extremities thereof, the truck including two pairs of meshing gears, and means for driving one gear of each pair.

16. The combination of a rail for single track horizontal and vertical railways, comprising two oppositely spaced rack bars,

overhanging side plates secured to the front and rear extremities thereof, the truck including two pairs of meshing gears, means for driving one gear of each pair, and a brake carried by said truck engaging the overhanging side plates of the rail and holding the truck in alinement therewith.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOR MOELLER. Witnesses L. S. CRANE, .T. S. Hum. 

